Sewing On The Beach (Saturday)

[Sharise]

Phin smiled. "You flatter me, really."

With that, he placed an arm around the girl's waist. "Want to go somewhere a bit more quiet? It might help you to forget everything that's going on out on the beach."

[Cres]

Chip sat up his back against the railing, coughing and struggling for consciousness while Dan climbed on board. He came on his knees beside Chip quickly, putting his other hand on his friend's shoulder.

Chip blinked and coughed until the water was completely out of his lungs, and then he shook his head and groped with his hand until he found Moki's hand. He squeezed on it and used it to figure out where she was. He blinked and looked at her. It took him a while to place everything, then he finally smiled.

"I didn't know there were mermaids in this sea," he said a bit jokingly. "No, seriously, guys, I'm all right. He just took me off guard." He held his head from where he had hit it and grimaced.


Bee looked at Phin, blinking her eyes, then finally smiling. She felt less than comfortable with his arm around her waist, because she thought he would notice how fat she was - even though this was all in her mind.

"Ok," she said. "That... would be nice. I think I need a little bit of quiet right now."

[Sharise]

Phin smiled and nodded. "Alright." His arm remained around Bee's waist as he directed them through the forest.

After awhile, they came to a clearing on the opposite side of the woods. There was a smaller portion of beach here, and it was empty. "Wow..."

[Cres]

Bee had managed to calm down pretty well during their walk through the forest. She wiped away the rest of her tears just before they emerged to the other side at the large empty beach. She had to smile.

"Oh I don't think I've ever seen this much sand without people before," she said.

[Kat]

Her face breaking into a smile as Chip spoke, Moki hugged him strongly. "Oh I'm so glad you're alright!! And I spend enough time in the water I practically am a mermaid." She winked at him before standing up. "Well then since you're fine, I suppose we should go back to shore and let everyone know you're okay." She made her way back to the steering wheel, looking back over her shoulder at Dan. "Dan, get him a blanket, would you? Even if he says he's not cold," she looked at Chip briefly, "give him one anyway. Though you seem fine, that took a toll on your body and you need to relax and keep warm so your body doesn't succumb to shock. Watch him Dan, if he starts shaking badly, let me know." Moki turned the engine over, expertly bringing the boat back toward the shore.


Ace noticed that Chip was sitting up now, sighing in relief when the boat started heading back for shore. Part of him wanted to run over to the dock and jump in the boat the moment it was close enough, hugging Chip. But another part of him wanted to stay back, the guilt he felt weighing on him heavily.

[Cres]

Chip complained a little when Dan wrapped him into the blanket, but in the end he remained quiet. His best friend's concern felt at least as warm as the blanket over him.

"You sure you're ok, man?" Dan asked for the third time when they got close to the shore. Chip smiled to him and shook his head.

"You start to sound like your mother."

Dan snorted.

"Well, you're my only best friend," he said pointedly. "What am I gonna do if something happens to you?"

Chip looked at him quietly, his eyes betraying no feeling other than a hint of a smile. His mind was racing through different feelings. On the other hand there was the old longing and old love he felt for Dan. On the other hand, now that they were getting to the shore, he remembered also Ace. Suddenly it felt very awkward to him to be in company of Ace and Dan at the same time. They were both so dear to him now. And he wasn't sure any more which way. His heart had always been Dan's. Now he felt a strong affection toward Ace as well. He didn't know what to think about it.

He realised the hit on his head might have left him mostly unscathed, but it had got him slightly disoriented. He decided not to make any very fast moves in the near future.

When the boat stopped, Chip got on his feet with Dan's help and accepted his help even getting down on steady ground again.

"You sure you're ok?" Dan asked, hovering round Chip even when they were on firm ground again. "You look a little pale."

"Oh quit fussing Dan," Chip said gently. "I'm ok." Then his eyes turned to the crowd around on the beach, searching out Ace. His face went more serious when he saw the boy's expression, unsure how to interpret it but realising that the blond had been horribly worried about him. He felt his words suddenly stuck in his throat for a moment.

[Kat]

Ace was rooted to the spot as he watched Chip get off the boat with Dan, feeling relieved that he was walking. But now what? If Chip and Vinnie had been arguing over him, would Chip even want to talk to him? He couldn't tell from Chip's expression how he felt. Not to mention, did he really want to go over and hug Chip? Would Chip be angry? Or was he feeling the same as Ace, happy to finally have a chance to possibly be affectionate now that Vinnie was gone. Thinking of Vinnie though only brought the boy's enraged glare back to Ace's mind and without thinking of it, he frowned.

[Cres]

Chip watched Ace, also rather rooted. His feelings were taking the better of him. Dan's eyes followed his gaze over to Ace. He recalled how scared the boy had looked like just before Dan had hopped into the boat, and he saw from his friend's face that Chip cared about the blond. He may not be the smartest guy around, but he had learned to read Chip's face better than anyone in the world. And this time, for once, it was one of those moments when Dan realised what was going on better than Chip did.

Dan smiled and pushed Chip a little from the back.

"What are you waiting for?" he asked his friend with a quiet voice.

Chip blinked and looked at Dan. Then he looked back at Ace and his frown. Finally he had to smile.

"What? No hugs?" he asked, looking at Ace with a warm look in his eyes. "Hey, I nearly died out there, you know."

Times were rare when Chip didn't crack a joke, especially after a dangerous situation.

[Kat]

The frown faded off of the blond's face as Chip walked over, everyone else getting blocked out of his mind. When Chip spoke to him he felt both relief that he wasn't angry, and more guilt that even though Chip had nearly drowned, he was still the one making all the moves. Throwing his arms around Chip, not caring who was watching, he stood up on his tiptoes, pressing his lips to Chip's. After a moment he pulled back slightly, leaning back and looking up into Chip's face, his eyes a little wet with tears that were trying not to slip out.

"I have a feeling it had something to do with me, didn't it? Bad memories from the club?" He still couldn't shake Vinnie's death glare from his head.



Moki finished tying up the boat, then sat on one of the benches, filling out the log book with the information from the accident. She would have to get Chip and Dan's information later, she hadn't wanted to bother them for it right now. She felt a sense of accomplishment as she watched the guys make their way to the beach, watching with a little sense of surprise as Ace hugged Chip. As much time as she'd spent with the blond athlete, Moki had no idea he liked guys as well as girls. She was a little shocked.

[Cres]

Chip had to admit he was totally taken by surprise when Ace wrapped his arms round him and kissed him. Yes, he had expected a hug, but not a kiss to go with it. He froze at first, all too aware that there was indeed other people watching, but when Ace pulled back a bit and looked at him with those tearful eyes, "other people" went clear out of his mind. He smiled gently and wrapped his own arms around the boy, to hold him close. It suddenly came to him that he didn't want to let him go at all.

When Ace spoke, Chip realised just what was upsetting him so much. Well, of course everything that had happened would, he told himself. Vinnie's glare had been promising death. A spark of anger sent his blood boiling again, but this time it only served to fuel his affection for the blond.

"Look," he said with a certain, calm voice. It was a voice that made you feel that you were listening to a person who could make everything better in the world, no matter what. "Vinnie's head works the way it does. He's an idiot, what can I say, he's got his father's brain. But this isn't your fault." Chip smiled a bit. "I should just learn to keep my mouth shut, is all. I can't believe he actually took me by surprise like that."

He wanted to protect Ace, and so he found himself trying to make nothing of the blond's involvement. But as he did so, he couldn't help but wonder if it was a smart thing to do. He knew Vinnie now really had it for Ace, and the boy should be careful. But he didn't want to scare the blond either.


Dan watched quietly at Chip and Ace, wrapping himself into a blanket he'd taken from the boat. He was all wet as well, but hardly noticed. The weather was still fairly warm, after all. He couldn't tell what he was feeling as he watched his best friend and his apparently new flame. He hoped that Chip wasn't getting himself into trouble. He knew Ace's reputation, he still remembered from back when the boy had been young. And he knew Ace had been with Starlight still at least last year, Sweetheart had written him about it. Dan pondered why he was suddenly feeling so negative about Ace as he watched him and Chip together. Was he just being his usual over-protective self? But Chip could take care of himself, couldn't he? Only he'd just nearly died out there. What would Dan have done without Chip?

Ah, hell. He threw those thoughts out of his mind decisively and turned to look for Bp with his eyes. He felt he could have used a goodly hug as well.

[Kat]

*awww, poor Ace, everyone has a bad impression of him, hehe*


Ace calmed down as Chip pulled him in close, feeling very safe in Chip's arms, like the Italian would protect him from anything. Would he, though? Ace hoped he was serious. He'd come to realize lately that he was looking for someone to protect him, someone who could offer him a sense of physical security and also emotional stability. Like he was setting himself up for something and wanted to make sure he had someone there to catch him when he innevitably fell. Was he subconsciously gearing himself up to finally tell people about his past? Did he want Chip there so he could run to him when the pressure and questions got to be too much? He knew was developing some very strong feelings for Chip, but what exactly were those feelings? Was he in love with Chip, or was he in love with the idea of Chip being his protector?

Turning his head to look up into Chip's eyes, Ace let out the breath he'd been holding. "I really need to talk to you Chip, sooner rather than later." After seeing Chip nearly drown earlier and only now starting to fully get over the shock of the situation, he came to realize that he needed to tell Chip everything. Especially if Vinnie was going to hold his grudge. He couldn't risk missing this opportunity.



Sparky watched the meeting between Chip and Ace, fully aware from the look on Ace's face that the boy was clearly getting very emotionally attached to Chip. Sparky couldn't help but smile as she watched him hug Chip, feeling very happy for her best friend. She loved the boy dearly and even though she knew he had no idea, she had realized long ago that Ace wasn't quite as emotionally stable as he wanted everyone to believe. But she also knew that he would never confide any of his problems in her-- he was supposed to be her rock and he was too stubborn to act any other way. She had liked Chip from the moment she'd met him though, and she had a feeling he would be good for Ace. Turning to look at Cara, the smile was still on her face. "He makes such an adorable little gay boy, doesn't he?"

[Sharise]

As the two were reunited, Teddy slowly and quietly stepped away as not to disturb them. There was something he wanted to do.

Bp seemed to be frozen in place as she watched everything fall into place. She couldn't help but to raise a brow at Ace and Chip. They did look cute together. Which reminded her, where was Dan?

Ice blue eyes wandered over to the dock, and landed on a very familiar figure. A bright smile was on the girl's face as she bounded over to the man and jumped on him.

"You're a real knight in shining armor, you know that?" Not giving Dan time to reply, Bp kissed him.

[Cres]

[[yes, Ace has a reputation. ]]

Cara, who had been extremely happy to see Chip land safely and seem like he was ok, smiled to Sparky when she spoke to her. She giggled a little and looked at Ace and Chip.

"Ace? Yeah," she admitted. "And those two are way too cute together. I never knew Ace could be so adorable." She had always imagined him more or less... well, nothing very commendable. That was why she had been so surprised when she'd found that Sparky and Ace were such good friends. She was now seeing another side, however.


Dan smiled when he caught Bp with his eyes, and opened his arms wide when the girl ran to her and jumped him. He wrapped his arms tight round her and reciprocated the kiss eagerly, feeling about her nice smooth hair meanwhile. Dan really liked girls with hair. Like, long enough hair to actually get a good grasp and bury your hand in.

He had to give a little embarrassed laugh when she called him a knight.

"No, well, I mean, he's my best friend, after all," he tried to be modest. "What was I gonna do, watch him drown?" A bit evil smile crept on his face. "But if we stay on this knight idea for a bit, is there any special prize dealt out for knights?"


Chip met Ace's eyes with a serious expression as the boy looked up at him, telling him he wanted to talk. He wasn't sure what this was about, but what ever it was, he could tell it was important. He nodded, unconsciously bringing up one hand and smoothing off one reckless lock from the blond's forehead.

"Sure," he said, looking at Ace in the eyes, his worry clear in his own expression. "Any time you want."

As a passing thought, he wondered when that had changed. When had "anything I want whenever I want it" become "anything you want whenever you want it" when it came to those he cared for?

[Kat]

Sparky looked at Cara and grinned. "You have no idea what that boy is really like, once you get past the social exterior. I feel bad for him, because he's really way sweeter and more caring than he lets on to everyone else, and he's really not as big of a slut as everyone likes to think he is, either." Sparky still had a smile on her face as she watched them, feeling happy but sad at the same time. Even though she was always a witness to Ace's sweet side, she knew the majority of people thought he was the biggest jerk in the world.


Ace smiled a little to Chip as he brushed the hair from his forehead, fighting back the urge to go right back into Chip's arms. He had already shown everyone enough to make them wonder what was going on, he wasn't feeling like giving another public display right now. Motioning for Chip to follow him, he made his way down to the dock, wanting to thank Moki first before heading off with Chip. He saw her still on the boat, watching him with a curious expresson on her face. She climbed out of the boat and onto the dock, meeting him.

"That was a nice save, Coconut. You should give up modelling and be a lifeguard instead." He grinned and she threw a light punch at him, laughing. "Hey, I'm just preparing you for what your parents are going to say when they hear about it."

"Oh shove it, blondie. It was my pleasure to save your boyfriend." Moki winked at him and gave him a hug.

"Anyway, is there anywhere we could go that would be private? Chip and I need to talk and I don't really want any distractions."

Moki could tell from the look on his face that he was serious. She was one of the few people who had never thought anything of Ace's reputation, judging him based solely on how he treated her, which had always been very sweetly. "You can use our private beach, it's gated off though, take my key. No one was planning on using it today." She gave him the key and smiled as he thanked her. As the boys made their way toward the private beach, Moki walked down the dock to rejoin her friends.


***the beach is through a path on the other side of the beach area where they currently are, but it's blocked from view by the deck area, so if you want you can mention them arriving at the private beach just to speed things up;)***

[Sharise]

"Now let me think..." Bp looked off to the side as she pretended to contemplate what sort of a prize should be given. "No.." The vanished and was replaced by a innocent expression as she looked at Dan. "I don't think there is any sort of prize."




[What should we do with Bee and Phin? o_O I know you wanted him to meet Brit at some point.]